Union Files New Charges Against Guess

Unite, the garment industry union, has filed new unfair labor practices charges with federal authorities against Guess Inc. in connection with the Los Angeles company’s recently announced plans to shift much of its production to Mexico and South America. The charges, lodged with the National Labor Relations Board, accuse Guess of threatening to shift production away from Southern California in retaliation for Unite’s organizing campaign at the company and its contractors. Unite said Guess’ action violated a settlement signed by the jeans manufacturer this week with the NLRB in connection with previous unfair labor practices charges filed by the union. To settle the earlier case, Guess agreed, among other things, to refrain from threatening to relocate production due to union activities as well as to reinstate 20 workers allegedly fired for their union activities. Guess, in a news release, said it is fully in compliance with the law and the terms of its settlement.